The Russellville Democrat., 1887-08-10
NATURAL HISTORY.
Three Easy Lessons for New Beginners Ambitious to Attain Emincnce.
 THE WOLF.


 There are three or four countries in this world not inhabited by wolves, but it may be tiuthfully said that they do not amount to much. The wolf was probably created soon after man, and is ono of the first animals mentioned after the world got her axle greased and got the word to go. In his wild state his sole object is to get three square meals day, and he isn't bit particu- lar whether he lunches on an old mule or q young Countess. When domesti- eated he can be taught several tricks, one of which is eating up the family baby at the first opportunity.
 The wolf is not as brave as the lion but he manages to get in his 365 days in the year just the same. and itis cold day when any thing good to eat gets away from him. There are more wolves in Russia than in any other country. This is because the Czar never gets time to go gunning for any thing but Nihilists Sometimes, when scalloped oysters and lobster salad are
 
 aud pursue sleighing party. If they can't be driven of the occupants of the sleigh throw each other out as offerings, and if one is lucky to escape the news papers call him hero and the Czar gives him medal.
 THE ALLIGATOR.
 The alligator makes no pretensions to beauty, but brides himself on his sterling character. He can be foundin all tropical countries, but grows to his largest size in India and Africa There is no one to pick on him there and keep him mad from Monday morning to Sat urday night, while the fodder is excel lent He is still found in the southern portion of the United States. but is no longer the confding trusting reptile of twenty years ago Let him hear a brass band begin to toot now and he will slide for deep water without look ing back over his shoulder
 At several different epochs our natu- ralists have sougkt to make out that the alligator wouldn't bite. We are happy to inform our readers that all such naturalists have long since furnished alligator luncheons.
 The alligator feeds on fish and flesh of every sort, and it is not on record that he has any particular choice. When nothing else comes handy he will swallow pine knots and log chains to fill the aching void in his stomach. He is sort of half-and-half reptile. spending his time either on land or water, according to the number of darkies who have got day off to go fishing. There are said to be several cures for the bite of an alligator, but no one has ever yet had chance to try any of them. He is supposed to live for fifty or sixty years, and to grow meancr and uglier every year of his life.
 THE LION.
 The lion is called the king of beasts in order to advertise circuses. He in- habits Q great share of the earth, but his favorite stamping ground is Africa. He feeds altogether on flesh, and there ihtiSt ltt illdiiN iltfitS III iiio lltc Niitli Ht wonders why Nature didn't put an extra compartment in and allow him to eat hay. His roar is one of the grand sounds of the forest, and is calculated to lift man up tree at the rate of foot second. It is said that if a lion leaps over you in his spring he will drop his tail and flee. Every boy should remember this and be prepared to duck. No lion can ever be thoroughly tanned, and there's no use sitting up nights and throwing your time away. He is supposed to live one hundred years in his wild state, but they can't be carted around in cage over fifteen before the gingerbread and pink lemonade stiiiens their limbs in death. There are no wild lions in this country. The taxes are probably too hiph. Detroit Free Press.